Puducherry Legislative Assembly Approves Expenditure Ahead of 2026 Elections

The Puducherry Legislative Assembly has taken an important step by passing a financial bill for the initial part of the upcoming fiscal year. This event happened on February 12, 2026, when the assembly approved spending of 5,396 crore rupees for the first five months of the 2026-27 financial year. This decision was made quickly as the assembly did not present a full budget. The reason for this is the upcoming elections in the region. Instead of a complete budget, a Vote on Account was passed to cover expenses until the full budget can be approved after the elections. The bill was introduced by the Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. He also serves as the Minister of Finance. After the passage of the bill, the assembly was adjourned, meaning it was closed for now, and it will likely reconvene later. The assembly session lasted until it was adjourned sine die. This Latin phrase means the assembly will not meet again until it is officially called back. The current assembly was elected in 2021, and its term is set to finish around the middle of 2026. This means the assembly has about four months left before the next elections. The elections in Puducherry are expected to be held around April or May of 2026. During these elections, voters will choose new representatives to form the next legislative assembly. The next government will then plan a full budget after the new elections are over. Passing the Vote on Account allows the government to manage expenses smoothly until the new government is formed. It ensures that government work can continue without interruption, even as the full budget process is deferred until after the elections. This process is common in regions preparing for elections. It helps to keep the government running and delivers services to the people without waiting for a complete financial plan. The current political situation shows that the assembly is stepping through the normal procedures expected before elections. The focus now is on managing government expenses effectively for the coming months. In summary, the Puducherry Legislative Assembly has approved a budget for the first part of the year, led by the Chief Minister. The assembly will now focus on completing its current term before new elections are scheduled. The next government will then prepare a full budget based on the new election results, shaping Puducherry's financial plans for the future.